Pediatrician’s report the two biggest causes of concern mother’s bring to a consultation in their baby’s first few years of life are feeding and sleep problems.  Both are problems that don’t have a simple cause nor have straightforward solutions. In new research, published in April 2012, it has been found that depressed moms wake their babies for no reason at night, resulting in worse sleep habits over time.
 
Meg Faure, Occupational Therapist and co-author of Baby Sense says “We have known for years that there is a relationship between postnatal depression and sleep problems in babies but many thought that high levels of sleep deprivation resulted in lowered mood for the mother and increased anxiety. The latest research however, indicates the opposite - that anxious and depressed moms in fact disturb their baby’s sleep.”
 
Researchers at Penn State set up cameras to record mother’s movements at night and found that not only did depressed mothers over respond to every sound their baby made, they actually disturbed and even woke their babies and spent more time with their infants at night. This adds to the body of knowledge that highlights the negative impact of postnatal depression (PND).
 
In extensive research conducted at Reading University, Professor Lynne Murray has shown the enormous negative effects on infants of maternal postnatal depression. Babies of depressed mothers were at significantly higher risk for depression, had lower childhood resilience, lower IQ and behaviour problems.
In addition, we now understand that over and above the extensive developmental and emotional issues these babies suffer, their sleep is in fact also being disrupted.
 
At the 2012 Johnson’s Baby Sense Seminars, medical professionals will look at sleep, feeding, child development and even baby’s health. By equipping parents with tools to help their babies sleep better and feed well, we expect better outcomes in baby’s health as well as moms who feel less anxious and better able to cope with their baby’s needs.
 
Dates for the 2012 Johnson’s Baby Sense Seminars are:
18th August: Durban at the Riverside Hotel
25th August: Pretoria at Diep In Die Berg Hotel
8th September: Cape Town at the Westin Grand Hotel
15th September: Johannesburg at the Sandton Sun Hotel
 
This year we have two new exciting practical workshops, the Johnson’s Baby Massage workshop and Hipp Organic Weaning to Feeding workshop.
 
Every mom walks away with two wonderful goodie bags, invaluable information contained in a comprehensive booklet, amazing prizes and delicious refreshments.
 
Cost: R260 per session for seminar
Cost: R120 per session for workshop
 
To book call 021 461 4669 or email [1] or book online. [2]

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